Breaking News: Changes at TMS?

By over-charging PED for bus and SPED programs, TMS has jeopardized the reimbursement process. Basically, the problems of SPED at TMS identified by PED were revealed to the TMS board by Peter Baston a couple of years ago in the IDEAS report. According to the agendas published by TMS, there is a crisis developing re: budgets, SPED non-compliance, bus driver expenses, and union negotiations. Readers interested in New Mexico’s Public Education Department plans for TMS can go to:

http://www.ped.state.nm.us/press/2011/Initial%20Audit%20Findings%20Memo%20to%20Districts.pdf

The Superintendent and the board appear to be grappling with the idea of hiring a union buster as well as declining enrollment due to the charter, private school, and GED alternative education movements. Some observers say they think El Weston, the current superintendent, has been traveling in search of another job. The Director of Curriculum may be positioning herself to become the interim superintendent…again. Generally speaking, in Taos, the outsider becomes the “scapegoat” for local problems and is given the heave-ho.

Site-based management may be the only way Taosenos can reclaim their schools and manage their own budgets.

The Humble Plumber

(Email sent to Town Council, etc.)

Good morning– Just a note to say that this morning we are in the process of decommissioning the well at Valverde Commons. We have only drilled a single well, and no water has been pumped from the well. We will notify the State Engineer of our actions and cancel the permit. As soon as we are pouring concrete, which will be soon, we will plug the well according to the requirements of the State Engineer’s office. Thanks for pointing out the existence of the ordinance. We will of course comply with it in every respect.

Best regards,

Bob Draper